Merrillville senior center Shaun Hicks’ listed measurables are 5 feet, 10 inches and 200 pounds.

Hicks laughed about that weight, a not uncommon bit of a boost. He said he’s closer to 185 pounds these days.

Not that it really matters to him.

“I use my skill set to my advantage,” Hicks said. “My speed, I’m faster than most of the linemen I go against. Since I’m pretty strong, too, I have an advantage because I have speed and strength. It’s easier to get to people to block.”

But Hicks does carry more weight in other ways in his second season as a starter.

“I’m more vocal than I was last year, and I’m playing more physical too,” he said. “Playing last year, I have some good experience, and I know a lot more. I can read the field better.”

Merrillville coach Brad Seiss described Hicks as “undersized, an overachiever, but pretty damn good.”

Indeed, Hicks has used that rare mix of speed, strength, savvy and perseverance to prosper for the Pirates (9-1), who will play at Morton (5-4) in a Class 5A sectional championship game on Friday night.

“He’s like our rock for our offensive line,” Seiss said. “He’s a hard worker. He’s really quiet, unassuming. Our offensive line unit has a nice cast of characters, and he’s the quiet rock in the middle.

“When you play some of the people we play, you’re getting different defensive fronts and pressures and stunts and blitzes and all those things, and just to have undoubtedly the smartest kid on our offense be the guy that the ball starts in his hands every play is a good thing. He has a six-pack, and he’s really strong and all that. But he just works hard, and he’s really consistent. We’re glad we have him as our center.”

Count junior running back Jac’Quarious “JQ” Johnson and sophomore running back Cameron Jordan among the teammates who are glad to have Hicks. He has helped pave the way for that dynamic duo to flourish.

“Shaun brings the energy,” Johnson said. “You won’t hear him talk that much, but Shaun brings the energy. He’s one of the smartest guys, if not the smartest guy. He can block somebody 300-something pounds as a center. It’s not most centers that do what Shaun can do. Shaun’s athletic.”

Johnson has rushed for 844 yards and 13 touchdowns. Jordan has team highs of 923 yards and 15 TDs.

“Shaun plays hard for the guys he loves,” Jordan said.

That type of passion and dedication have endeared Hicks to the Pirates.

“His teammates all have respect for him,” Seiss said. “He’s a quiet leader. But if he ever says anything, kids listen and understand the importance of his leadership and the high character he brings to our team.”

Hicks takes his stature seriously.

“I’ve been trying to lead the offensive line, telling them where they have to go, directing where we all need to go so they can make big plays — the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers,” he said. “I’m laid-back for the most part. But in the game, I’m fired up.”

Hicks, who intends to study computer science and could play football in college, is looking forward to Merrillville’s next game. The Pirates, whose only loss this season came against Crown Point, have won five straight sectional titles and made semistate appearances in four of the past five seasons. They’re among the favorites, if not the front-runners, this season.

“This team is more focused,” Hicks said. “We’re taking it a little bit more seriously. More of us are watching film. More of us are looking at the playbook.

“We’re going to make it to the top this year.”